HISTORY

Ash and Adam {Muzza} Murray were the the talk of the Ausie bodyboard scene in Australia. The pair were contest machines who honed their skills in the highly competitive Port MacQuarie area. The brothers went on to capture numerous NSW and Aussie titles. Adam and Ash both loved their dropknee and out at their beloved Breakwall they were standouts. Here Ash blasts a turn at Northwall. Photo Chris Stroh early 90′s.

In the early 90′s Changa from Newcastle a tough working class area on the mid north coast of NSW was one of the best and most fiercest competitors in the ametuer ranks. Aaron was a regular finalist around this time  placing highly in local pro ams and State Titles.He was also highly competitive in the Newcastle Bodyboard Club which attracted the best talent around the beaches of Merewether.

Velzyland regular and Hawaiian standout in the late 80′s and early 90′s Joey went on to become the Manta rep in the Islands. This shot for sponsor Billabong early 90′s.

Matt Percy Turbo Test pilot advertisement from 1990 Photo Stroh

Maroubra standout of the early 90′s PJ Hyland was the first bodyboarder to be sponsored by Paipo. Due to legal matters the name was changed and extended to Rheopaipo, Rheo meaning number 1. This advertisement pic was shot at Suckrock where PJ excelled. Photo Stroh

Vintage Mini Morey Boogie 132 board courtesy of Russ Havens

Barney had done more for Queensland bodyboarders than probably anyone else throughout his long association with the sport. One of the original pioneers and former Aussie Champ is still  as keen today as when this pic below was taken in the early 90′s. Photo Tullemans

When bodyboarders ventured out  and began charging at Shark Island in the 80′s it really gave the sport in Australia some real credibility. Chaz McCall was first and others were soon to follow like this nameless daredevil taking a serious freefall that he made. The wave was prone heaven . Photo Chris Stroh 80′s.

One of the original bodyboard crew from Newcastle Karl Gol founded and was first president of the Merewether Bodyboarding Club which later became the Newcastle Bodyboarding Assoc.  The crew Karl was part of included Aaron Changa Mathews, Robert Adamthwaite, Ben Harland, Jason Power,Simon Ramsay, Craig Hadden and DK legend Roberto Barbiero. He competed mainly against guys like Bullet, Chopper, PJ Hyland, Doug Robson,Brett Young, then up-and-comers (young) Eppo and Tim Jones, Ross Hawke, Dave Appelby and Wayne Smith. He was sponsored by Morey Boogie, Churchills and Sportskins wetsuits. In 1985 he won the NSW state U18 and 1986 Australian U18 titles both at Dee Why and was unlucky not to win the 1987 Open title at Natios (defeated by Ross Hawke at Tamarama). Karl was in the first ever pro-am at Cronulla Pt in 84 bodyboarding in the first heat and winning against Hawaiian legend Daniel Kaimi. Karl started judging with Craig Hadden (who was then in 1994 and to this day is still Aust and international Judging coordinator) and continue to this day as a high level IBA judge, heat judge and IBA Judging educator. He developed in 1998 the IBA Level 1 Bodyboarding Judging Certificate course. Karl wrote the IBA International Rule Book in 2010 and is in the process of developing the IBA International Level 2 judging course.  President of NSWBB in 2006 and h been president of BAT (Bodyboarding Association of TAS) since moving to Tasmania in 2007.  He still compete in the Nationals (placing 2nd in Masters in 2011 to Brendan “Barney” Ryan from Cronulla . Karl won the Masters in 2006 and 2008, placed 4th in 2007 against Eppo,The Terminator and Jason Spence).  Voted best judge at 2011 Nationals. Karl lives  in South Arm Tasmania and still bodyboard whenever Ihe can.

 

Early 90′s Aussie adv with Ben Severson in flight for BZ  plus young Clint Portelli inset shot. Main photo by Klopf.